Dave Bakke: Sidetracked by 1987 restaurants

Saturday

Mar 15, 2014 at 9:30 PM

Dave was browsing the 1987 Springfield City Directory and got distracted by the listing of Springfield restaurants. Oh, the memories.

By Dave BakkeStaff Writer

It was the perfect storm. First, legendary Springfield eatery Vic's Pizza announced that it had reached the end of the line. And then something I was working on for a column took me to the 1987 Springfield City Directory and, as usually happens, I got distracted.

What sidetracked me was that directory's listing of Springfield restaurants in 1987. Oh, the memories that list conjured.

I remembered being at many of them. Then there were others that I don't remember at all. Eddie and Irene's? Zopito's? I couldn't resist a trip down Memory Lane.

I start with Arlin's because I ate many breakfasts (pecan pancakes) there. I remember it at the South Grand Avenue East location, though it moved to East Cook for a short time. I remember it as an out-of-the-way place that was trendy among the young, hip and happening Springfield set (such as myself, ahem) as was Magic Kitchen on Peoria Road.

As I recall, Arlin's owner/chef Arlin Ackley had a past, though he got his life together when he opened that little spot. I still think of it when I drive past what is now an empty, boarded up building.

How about Biggie's and Bubbas? That was a place to be seen in 1987. The Bombay Bicycle Club was on Dirksen in the area where Smokey Bones is now.

I think I only ate once at Wayne's Red Coach on North Grand Avenue. I know, it's weird because it was such a Springfield institution. But I had dinners at the original Romanesque downtown; a good place for dates and anniversary celebrations.

Lord, Mr. Ted's. The first weekend magazine story I wrote for this newspaper involved spending the night at Mr. Ted's to capture the drunken ambiance of the post-bar crowd. That was a nice introduction to Springfield.

I remember the Same Old Shillelagh on Durkin for something other than its food. It sponsored the first 5K race I ran in my entire life. I received the obligatory race T-shirt, and now that the SOS is just a memory, I wish I still had that shirt. I'm sure someone out there has theirs.

Another restaurant that was very trendy in 1987? Mama San's. The menu was an interesting mix of soul food and Asian. It was on South 13th, the 1200 block.

In 1987, Baur's in Vinegar Hill had the greatest dance floor in town — until Bobby Saterlee opened Bobby's A Dance Bar way out on Peoria Road. Different crowds.

(OK, this wasn't 1987, it was 1985, but I have to mention the 33rd Italian Battalion, a pizza place on Wabash Avenue. It had a big-screen TV before it became common and this was pre-digital/LCD/LED/plasma. Like that Same Old Shillelagh T-shirt, I wish I still had the box of wooden matches with the 33rd Italian Battalion logo that I kept for years.)

We had a Chick-fil-A at White Oaks Mall in 1987. Many wish we still had one.

But along with Eddie and Irene's and Zopito's, I have no recollection of these 1987 places: Fely's Cafe, Karin's Kafe, Donuts Etc. on Peoria Road; EC Coffee Shop, Tasty World, Butch's Steak House, Chen's Dumpling House, The Choice Smorgasbord, The Honey Hut or France's Pizza.

And what was Bali Island? Since I see it listed as being way out on South Sixth, I'm guessing that it was an effort to keep the legendary Aloha Lounge spirit alive in Springfield. If so, it failed.

But I remember the twin restaurants closer in on South Sixth back then. They were the Baked Apple and the B&G. The Apple was on the same side of the street as Beggs Barber Shop, and the B&G was almost directly on the other side. Unfortunately, both were next to the Bel-Air Motel, which was no prize even in 1987.

Foreigner's on South Sixth was an outstanding Greek gyro place. We had Famous Recipe Chicken, The Prime Rib Rack (Fairhills Mall), The Martin Way on North Grand, Mountain Jack's, Riverside Cafe (home of yummy river fries) and for all of us Nick Danger/Firesign Theater fans, we could dine at Rocky Rococo's at 700 W. Jefferson. (“Put down that pickle, Rococo.”)

Local restaurants add an important element of character to any city. Springfield has some good ones today, but I couldn't resist bringing back to mind a few of them from 27 years ago.

And guess what? It made me forget what it was I originally wanted to look for in that 1987 city directory.

Know of something quirky? Emotional? Funny? Inspiring? Dave Bakke is your man and his deadline is always near. Pitch your idea to him at dave.bakke@sj-r.com or at (217)788-1541. His column appears Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. To read more, visit www.sj-r.com/bakke.